Casting machine



' Nov. 17,1925- 1,561,780

F. ENGEL CASTING MACHINE O izinal piledJul -s, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

w WITNESS; h INVENTOR.

' v Hank W11.

BY Q km A TTORNE Y.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov; 17, 1925.

F. ENGEL CASTING MACHINE Orizinal Filed July 8, 1918 WITNESS: I,

Patented Nov. 17, 1925.,

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK ENGEL, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGGOB TO U. S. LIGHT & HEAT GOR- PORATION, OF NIAGARA FALLS, K1111 YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CASTING MACHINE.

Application flled l'uly 8, 1818, Serial Io. 243,759. Renewed February 2, 1925.

To allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK ENGEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Casting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to casting machines.

More particularly the present invention relates to casting machines which may operate continuously and with a minimum of attention from an o erator for preparing the moulds for pouring, ouring the metal and for opening the moul s.

An object of the present invention is to provide a casting machine having a plurality of moulds, with means for automatically operating said moulds whereby moulding operations may be expeditiously performed.-

A further object is to provide a casting machine in the form of a revoluble table, together with automatic devices which will perform the various steps necessary in moulding operations.

A further object is to provide a casting machine which 18 simple and sturdy in construction, which will require a minimum of attention and discretion on the part of the operator.

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is -a side view, partly in section, showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view.

Fi' s. 3 and 4 re resent details of a valve whic may be uti ized' in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The numeral 1 represents a table which may be circular in outline and which is sup-' ported upon a standard 2. The standard 2 has a top2' upon which the table 1 is mounted to revolve. be provided to reduce the friction to a minimum. The under side of the table 1 ma be provided with an annular rack 4 WhlCll is adapted to engage with a pinion 5 mounted upon a shaft 6. The sha t 6 will in operation be given a movement of rotation. Suchmovement may be communi- Ball bearings 3 may.

cated from a shaft extending verticall within the standard 2 or may be communicated by means of a belt from overhead shafting. No means for rotating the shaft 6 have been illustrated, inasmuch as they constitute no part of the present invention and their description seems to be unneces sary for a complete understanding of the present invention. When the shaft 6 is rotating, movement will be communicated through the pinion 5 to the rack 4 to revolve the table 1.

outer end a roller 13 which is spring-pressed.

downwardly by means of the spring 14. The rollers 13, 13 are adapted to engage with a cam-shaped member 15 which may be rigidly supported by the standard 2 to partly surroun said standard 2. The levers 12 with rollers 13 co-operate with the camshaped member 15 to move the parts 9 of the moulds. For this purpose one end 16 of the cam-shaped member 15 is inclined and has a smooth surface. The other end 17 is also inclined but is provided with a waved surface 18. Itwill be understood that as the table; 1 revolves in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, movin the levers 12 therewith, the rollers 13 will in succession engage with the end 16 of the cam-shaped member 15 whereby said levers will be moved to swing the arts 9 about their pivots 10 into closed position with the parts 8. The cam-shaped member 15 will be designed to hold the levers 12 in such a position as to maintain theparts 9 in closed position for a considerable arc of the rotation of the table 1. When, however, the rollers 13 in succession engage with the in clined end 17 with its waved surface, the levers will be given a vibratory movement, the net result of which will be the dropping of the levers 12 whereby to separate the parts 9 from the parts 8. The purpose of the waved surface of the end 17 is to shake the part 9 loose from the casting, as will be referred to further hereinafter.

Located upon the top 2 of the standard 2 is a lubricating device 19. Said lubrieating device asillustrated, has means for directing a smok flame u on the parts 8 and 9 of the mould 7. device 19 will be located at a point whereat thecam-shaped member 15 will not be opmauve to hold the movable part 9 in closed position relative to the part 8 of the mould. The lubricating device 19 is rovided with an upstanding pipe 20 whic is encircled by a movable sleeve 21. The sleeve .21 is adapted to move a set of piping 22 in a vertical direction. The sleeve 21 is also adapted to operate a pipe 23 which may be connected through a flexible connection 24 to a source of as supply 25. The pipe 23 may be provided with an abutment 26 adapted to co-operate with a lever 27 to open and close communication between the source of gas supply and the piping 22. The piping 22 will be provided with a series of vents 28 whereby flames may be directed u on the parts of the moulds. The outside 0? the upstanding pipe 20 and the inside of the sleeve 21 should be provided with finished surfaces to provide a fairly airtight fit while permitting relative movement between said pipe 20 and sleeve 21. The

pipe 20 has communication through a valve 29 to a source of air pressure 30. The valve 29 should be provided with three ports, 31, 32 and 33, of which port 31 may communicate with the source of air pressure 30, port 32 may communicate withpipe 20 and port 33 may communicate with the outside atmosphere. A gate 34 is'provided, havin a trigger 34 adapted to co-operate wit abutments 35. A spring 36 may be provided to hold the trigger 34' against a stop 36', whereby said gate 34 is biased to the position illustrated in Fig.4, whereby communication is had between the source 30 and the pipe 20 to hold sleeve 21 -in its uppermost position whereby to hold the piping 22 out of proximity with the moulds. In this position the gas supply from the source 25 will be reduced. When the gate 34 is moved to another position through engagement of an abutment 35 with the trigger 34', communication with the source of air pressure 30 will be cut oil and communication will be had'from the pipe 20 to the atmosphere through port 33. Under these conditions the sleeve 21 will be in its lowermost position, whereby the piping 22 will be in proximity to the parts of the moulds 7. In moving from the upper to the lower position, the abutment 26 will engage with the lever 27, whereby to turn on the su pl of gas from the source 25. In moving Eac to the upper position, the abutment 26 will aid lubricatingasemeo co-operate with the lever 27 to reduce the said abutment 26 moves upward, said lever 27 may move back to biased position to reduce t p be provided for limiting the ran e of move ment of abutment 27 Any esired fuel may be used for the jets of flame. Any gas:

which carbonizes readily when burned without free access oi. air may be used. For instance, acetylene gas may be used.

Also mounted upon the top 2 of the standard 2 are a plurality of supports 37 which may support a pair of electrical contact members 38. Only one of said contactmembers is illustrated in the drawin Said contact members will be side by si e and occupy an arcuate position, removed from the lubricating mechanism in a counter clock-wise direction. Each of the moulds is provided with brushes 39 which engage with the members 38 to provide electrical connection. Each of the moulds will be provided with heating coils (not shown) 1 which will be energized when the brushes 39 contact with themembers 38. The members 38 will be so placed that the heatin coils are energized when the cam shape member 15 is holding the part 9 of the mould in closed position relative to the part 8, whereby to conserve the heat. Located e supply of gas. Suitable stops may at a point near the ends of the members 38 is the pouring mechanism 40. Each of the moulds is provided with an outstandingstud 41 adapted to enga e a lever 42 on the pouring mechanism. s the moulds move in succession to a position underneath the pouring mechanism, the stud 41 will engage the lever 42 to allow the molten material to flow into the moulds. Thermoelectric apparatus 43 may be provided for indicating at a glance t e temperature of the molten matenal. As the moulds travel in a counter clock-wise direction from un derneath the pouring mechanism, the part 9 will remain closed u on the part 8 for a predetermined perio in order to allow the casting to solidify. When, however,

the moulds are moved .in succession to a point where the rollers 13 engage with the waved surface of the inclined end 17 of the cam-shaped member 15, a vibrating movement will be communicated to the parts 9 of the moulds, the result being the opening of the moulds in succession. An operator will be stationed at a point removed from the end 17 in a clock-wise direction. His duty will be to remove the castings from the mould. a The 0 ration of the above described de vice wil be obvious. Each of the moulds will be left open after it passes the end 17 of the cam-shaped member .15. After the operator has removed the casting from each 0 the molds as it comes to him, each of the moulds will be lubricated in succession as it passes in proximity to the lubricating mechanism 19. As described above, the lubricating mechanism 19 will operate automatically to direct a smoky flame upon the two halves of the mould from a point in proximity to said mould. As each of the moulds passes by the lubricating mechanism, the flame will be automatical y extinguished by engagement of the abutment 26 with the lever 27 until the next mould comes in proximity to the lubricating mechanism. After each mould passes the lubricating mechanism, the part 9 will be closed u on the part 8 by reason of the fact that t e roller 13 will contact with the cam-shaped member 15, thereby moving the lever 12 to operate the part 9 of each mould. When each mould has moved to the position whereby the brushes 39 will contact with the contacting members 38, the heating coils of said moul will be energized to heat said mouldsto prepare for the pouring operation which will take place when the stud 41 engages with the lever at?) of the pouring mechanism. During further movement the casting will be allowed to solidify until the mould reaches such a position that the roller engages the inclined end 17 of the cam-sha ed member 15, at which time the mould wil be opened with a vibrating movement and the operator may remove the casting.

Many details ofthe described embodiment of the present invention may be varied without departing from the invention. It is intended in the patent to include all modifications that come within the scope of the invention as defined by the ap nded claims. What ii claim as new and esire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a casting machine, in combination, conveying means, a plurality of moulds thereon having separable parts, and means associated with said moulds for automatically closing said parts upon one another and opening same with a shaking movement.

2. In a casting machine, in combination, revoluble conveying means, a plurality of moulds thereon having separable parts, and means associated with said moulds for automatically closing said parts'upon one another and opening same with a shaking movement.

3. In a casting machine, in combination, a conveyor, a plurality of moulds thereon,

lubricating means, heating means and pouring means for said moulds and mechanism co-oper'ating with said moulds for automatically operating said means when said moulds are in predetermined ppsition.

4. In a casting mac ine, in combination, a revoluble means a plurality of moulds carried thereby, said moulds havin separable parts, stationary cam means, an means co-operating with said cam means for closing said parts upon one another and opening same with a shaking movement.

5. In a casting machine, in combination, a 'revoluble means, a lurality of moulds carried thereby, each 0 said moulds having means and a second part movable relative to said stationary part, means for automatia part stationaryrelative to said revoluble cally closing said movable part upon said stationary part and for vibrating said movable part relative to said stationar part.

6. In a casting machine, in com ination, a revoluble means, a plurality of moulds carried thereby, and-means rendered operative by the movement of said moulds for lubricating and heating same in succession, and means rendered operative by the movement of said moulds for pouring molten material into said moulds in succession.

7. In a casting machine, in combination, a plurality of moulds, means for moving same and automatic means for lubricating' said moulds, closing and heating same, pouring molten material into said moulds and opening same with a vibrating motion.

8. In a casting machine, in combination a mould and means for lubricating said mould, said means including movable flamedirecting means, and means controlled by said mould for varying the osition of said flame directing means and or varying the length of flame emitted by said flame-directing means.

9. In a casting machine, in combination, a mould, conveying means for said mould,

means responsive to the movement of said mould for lubricating same, completing an electrical circuit for heating same, pouring molten material into same and opening same with a vibrating movement.

10. In a casting machine, in combination, a mould, conveying means therefor, and means responsive to movement of said conveying means for lubricating said mould.

11. In a casting machine, in combination, a revoluble conveying means, moulds carried thereby, lubricating means adapted to emit a smoky flame, and means responsive to the movement of said conveying means for governing the position ofsaid lubricating means and the flame emitted thereby.

12. In a casting machine, in combination,

'a mould, conveying means therefor, said 0 i O I cent to said conveymg means for controllin ratory movement to said separied thereby, each of said moulds, including a separable'part, operating means for moving said separable part, and cam means substantially concentric with said conveying means for controlling said operating means, said cam means and said operatin means being adapted to communicate a vibratory movement to said separable part.

14. In a casting machine, moulds, flameemitting lubricating means for said moulds and means fonperiodically directing said lubricating means into molds about to be filled.

-15. In a castin machine, conveying means, moulds carried thereby, and flameemittin lubricating means for said moulds responsive to the movement of said conveying means. r

16. In, a casting machine, conveying means being adapted to commeansflfor governing the positi n of sai lubricating means "and the flame emitted therelo l7. n a casting'machinc, moulds, heating means for said moulds and means for automatically controlling the application of heat to said moulds. 1 1.

18. In an automatic grid casting machine, moulds, means. for autojinaticall v opening and closing said mouldsfmeans fhr heating said moul sand means for automatically controlling the application of heat to the moulds.

19. In an automatic grid castin machine, a mould, means for opening and c osing said mould, automatic means for fillin said mould heating means for said mo d and means for automatically controlling the application of heat to said mould.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

FRANK ENGEL. 

